Route 4018 aka Big Dipper is one of my favorite roads. I must have ridden or driven dozen times here, sometimes twice in a day, both directions. Never gets boring. Beatiful ridgeline road, numerous switchbacks, tight and sweeping curves, steep both up and down at 18% grade. It offers magnificent views of Doi Pha Tang Range, Phu Chi Fah and valleys of Khun Tan district. Along the way it is recommended to visit Phaya Phipak Forestry Park and it’s viewpoint as well as Hmong village of Phu Long Tang whose inhabitants believe dragon used to live in the area where village stands today. Hence, name of the village and the statue of a dragon in the pond.
GPS Coordinates
R4018 Western Entrance: 19.88413, 100.29272
Phaya Phipak Forestry Park Viewpoint: 19.85910, 100.33250
Phu Long Tang Viewpoint & Dragon Pool: 19.86800, 100.33933
R4018 Eastern Entrance: 19.86071, 100.36754